Template Workflow Improvement: A Phased Implementation Plan

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Template Workflow Improvement: A Phased Implementation Plan

Hey guys! We've got a plan to supercharge the workflow of our template repositories. This will be rolled out in phases to make sure everything goes smoothly and to give you the biggest bang for your buck ASAP. Let's dive in!

Implementation Order

We're breaking this down into four phases. Each phase focuses on a specific area of improvement, making it easier to manage and track progress.

Phase 1: High Priority (Immediate Impact on Students) 🚀

1. sotsuron-template #75: Auto-Assign Reviewers Workflow

  • Why: This is a game-changer because it helps students every time they create a pull request (PR). It's the quickest win we can get!
  • Effort: Minimal. We're basically porting it over from ise-report-template.
  • Impact: Reduces hassle for students and prevents review requests from slipping through the cracks. No more missed reviews!
  • Implementation: Add .github/workflows/autoassingnees.yml and configure .github/auto_assign_myteams.yml.
  • Reference: Check out the implementation in ise-report-template.

In this initial phase, the spotlight shines on automating the assignment of reviewers for student pull requests. This is crucial because it directly addresses a common pain point: the manual effort required to find and assign reviewers. By automating this process, we're not only saving students time but also ensuring that every pull request gets the attention it deserves. Think of it as setting up a reliable, automated system that takes care of the initial steps, allowing both students and reviewers to focus on the core content and quality of the submissions. The configuration involves setting up a workflow that automatically assigns reviewers based on predefined rules, such as expertise or availability. This way, the right eyes are always on the code, contributing to a more efficient and effective review process. This automation directly translates to faster feedback loops, improved code quality, and a more streamlined experience for everyone involved. Plus, it eliminates the risk of PRs getting lost in the shuffle, ensuring no student's work is left unreviewed. This single change can significantly boost student morale and productivity, setting a positive tone for the entire project.

Phase 2: Dependabot Foundation 🔧

2. thesis-management-tools #336: Remove dependabot.yml from student repos

  • Why: This sets the stage for the next phase, where we'll add Dependabot configurations. Gotta clean house first!

  • Effort: Tiny. Just a few lines in setup.sh.

  • Impact: Prevents unnecessary files from cluttering student repositories. Keeping things tidy!

  • Implementation:

    # Remove template-only files that students don't need
echo "Removing template-only configuration files..."
rm -f .github/dependabot.yml

# Commit the cleanup
git add -A
git commit -m "Remove template-only files (dependabot.yml)" || true
git push origin main

The second phase is all about prepping the ground for Dependabot. This might seem like a small step, but it's essential for a smooth transition in the next phase. Removing the dependabot.yml file from student repositories is like clearing the weeds before planting new seeds. By doing this, we ensure that students aren't burdened with configuration files they don't need, reducing confusion and potential errors. The setup.sh script will handle this cleanup, making it a seamless and automated part of the repository setup process. This step also reinforces the principle of keeping student repositories clean and focused on their actual project work. Removing unnecessary files minimizes clutter and makes it easier for students to navigate and understand their project structure. It's all about creating an environment that supports their learning and development, rather than distracting them with irrelevant configurations. Think of it as setting the stage for a well-organized and efficient project, where students can focus on the core aspects of their work without getting bogged down by unnecessary details. This streamlined approach not only benefits the students but also contributes to a cleaner and more maintainable codebase overall. By ensuring that each repository contains only the essential files, we're promoting best practices and making it easier for students to manage their projects effectively. This attention to detail sets the tone for the entire workflow, encouraging students to adopt a mindful approach to project management and organization.

Phase 3: Bulk Dependabot Configuration (Improved Maintainability) 📦

3. Add Dependabot Configuration to All Templates in One Go

  • sotsuron-template #77

  • ise-report-template #54

  • wr-template #31

  • poster-template #1

  • latex-template #18

  • sotsuron-report-template #11

  • Why: Since it's the same config file, doing it in bulk saves time and boosts maintainability early on.

  • Effort: Low × 6 (adding the same config to each template).

  • Impact: Automatic updates for GitHub Actions and improved security. Keeping our templates fresh and secure!

  • Implementation: Add this to each template:

    # .github/dependabot.yml
version: 2
updates:
  - package-ecosystem: "github-actions"
    directory: "/"
    schedule:
      interval: "monthly"
    open-pull-requests-limit: 5
    labels:
      - "dependencies"
      - "github-actions"

Phase three is where we bring in the big guns: Dependabot. This phase is crucial for maintaining the long-term health and security of our templates. By adding a Dependabot configuration to all templates in one go, we're setting up an automated system that keeps our GitHub Actions up-to-date and secure. Think of it as having a vigilant guardian that constantly monitors our dependencies and alerts us to any potential vulnerabilities. The configuration we're adding is designed to check for updates monthly, ensuring that we're always running the latest and greatest versions of our dependencies. This not only enhances security but also helps us take advantage of new features and performance improvements. By limiting the number of open pull requests to five, we prevent the repository from getting overwhelmed with too many updates at once, making it easier to review and merge changes. The labels “dependencies” and “github-actions” help us categorize and prioritize these updates, ensuring they get the attention they deserve. This bulk configuration approach not only saves us time but also ensures consistency across all our templates. By using the same configuration file for each template, we simplify maintenance and make it easier to manage updates in the future. This proactive approach to dependency management is essential for building a robust and secure ecosystem of templates that students can rely on. By automating the update process, we free up valuable time and resources that can be better spent on other important tasks, such as improving the content and functionality of our templates. This investment in automation pays dividends in the long run, ensuring that our templates remain up-to-date and secure for years to come.

Phase 4: Quality Improvement Features ✨

4. sotsuron-template #76: textlint Quality Check on PRs

  • Why: Automatically check the quality of writing in PRs, reducing the burden on reviewers. Less manual work for everyone!
  • Effort: Medium. Requires creating a new workflow.
  • Impact: Improved writing quality and early detection of issues. Catch those errors early!
  • Implementation: Add .github/workflows/textlint-check.yml.

5. sotsuron-report-template #10: LaTeX Build Workflow

  • Why: Set up a CI/CD environment and align with other templates. Consistency is key!
  • Effort: Small. Port it over from latex-template.
  • Impact: Early detection of build errors. No more last-minute surprises!
  • Implementation: Add .github/workflows/latex-build.yml.

The final phase is all about enhancing the quality and reliability of our templates. This phase is crucial for delivering a polished and professional experience to our students. By implementing textlint for quality checks on pull requests, we're ensuring that the writing in our templates is clear, concise, and error-free. Think of it as having an automated editor that reviews every submission, catching typos, grammatical errors, and stylistic issues before they make it into the final product. This not only improves the overall quality of our templates but also reduces the burden on reviewers, allowing them to focus on the more substantive aspects of the content. The LaTeX build workflow is another essential component of this phase. By setting up a CI/CD environment, we're ensuring that our LaTeX templates can be built automatically, catching any errors or inconsistencies early in the development process. This is especially important for complex documents that rely on precise formatting and layout. By detecting build errors early, we can prevent last-minute surprises and ensure that our templates are always ready to go. This phase is all about creating a robust and reliable ecosystem of templates that students can trust. By investing in quality improvement features, we're demonstrating our commitment to providing the best possible resources for their academic work. This not only enhances their learning experience but also prepares them for the rigorous demands of professional writing and publishing. The combination of automated quality checks and continuous integration ensures that our templates are always up to the highest standards, reflecting our dedication to excellence.

📊 Benefits of This Order

✅ Early Impact: Auto-assign implemented first to improve student experience immediately. ✅ Efficiency: Bulk Dependabot setup reduces redundant work. ✅ Dependencies: setup.sh modification done before Dependabot setup. ✅ Gradual Improvement: Each phase delivers value as we go. ✅ Risk Mitigation: Complex implementations (textlint) placed later.

⏱️ Estimated Effort

  • Phase 1: 30 minutes
  • Phase 2: 20 minutes
  • Phase 3: 1 hour (6 templates × 10 minutes)
  • Phase 4: 1.5 hours

Total: Approximately 3 hours

📝 Progress Tracking

Report progress on this issue after completing each phase.

  • [ ] Phase 1: Auto-assign reviewers
  • [ ] Phase 2: setup.sh modification
  • [ ] Phase 3: Dependabot configuration (6 templates)
  • [ ] Phase 4: Quality improvement features (2 items)

Related Issues

Workflow Improvement

  • sotsuron-template #75: Auto-assign reviewers
  • sotsuron-template #76: textlint quality check
  • sotsuron-report-template #10: LaTeX build workflow

Dependabot Configuration

  • sotsuron-template #77
  • ise-report-template #54
  • wr-template #31
  • poster-template #1
  • latex-template #18
  • sotsuron-report-template #11
  • thesis-management-tools #336